Night of Lincoln Assassination: from White House to Ford Theatre

4.8 (262 reviews) Washington DC, USA
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Duration2h
Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
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TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish
Group sizeUp to 15 travelers

Overview

This tour will take you minute by minute through the last day of the 16th President, Abraham Lincoln.

You will meet the conspirators who were desperately trying to save the Confederate cause in the dying days of the Civil War. There were to be 3 attacks that night. This tour unfolds as a story filled with suspense, intrigue, and espionage.

-The White House - where Lincoln gave his final speech in the presence of his later assassin, John Wilkes Booth

-Home of Secretary of State Seward - who was attacked that night by a co-conspirator of Booth

-National Theatre - potential site of Booth's attack on Lincoln, but instead where his young son learned of the death of his father.

-Site of the Kirkwood House Hotel - where VP Andrew Johnson lived and an attack on him was planned.

-Ford's Theatre - the site of the assassination while watching a play. Travelers may opt to visit on their own. Tickets from NPS required.

-Peterson's Boarding House - where Lincoln took his final breath.

Options

Private Lincoln Assassination

Private Tour: Same great tour, but just the guide and your group. Adjustments and customization available, just ask.

The Lincoln Assassination Walking Tour

What's included

  • Professional, Licensed Tour Guide
  • 2 Hour Guided Walking Tour Following in Lincoln's Footsteps
  • Historic Photos to View on the Tour of Sites and Characters
  • Entrance into Ford's Theatre (tickets from NPS required)

What to expect

  1. St. John's Episcopal Church
    5m
    Nicknamed the Church of the Presidents, we start our tour here to get an overview of Washington DC in the 1860s; understanding the events that led to this fateful night. (We do not enter any buildings on this tour)
  2. Lafayette Square
    10m
    The tour will begin with an introduction to President Lincoln's final months in the White House. New characters will be introduced as we explore the historic row houses that surround the park.
  3. The White House
    10m · Admission ticket not included
    We talk about Abraham Lincoln's presidency during the Civil War and his final speech; given at the White House in the presence of his later assassin, John Wilkes Booth. (We do not enter any buildings on this tour)
  4. United States Department of the Treasury
    Pass by
    Walk past the US Treasury Building, which acted as the temporary White House after Lincoln's Assassiantion.
  5. The National Theatre
    10m
    On the day of the assassination, John Wilkes Booth stopped by this theater and met with a friend. Later that evening, Lincoln's son Tad was at this theater watching a play: Aladdin or his Wonderful Lamp. (We do not enter any buildings on this tour)
  6. Old Post Office Pavilion
    5m
    Across from this grand old building was the location of the Kirkwood House Hotel. This is where Vice President Andrew Johnson stayed. Conspirator George Azerodt rented a room here and was given the job to attack Johnson that same night... (We do not enter any buildings on this tour)
  7. Pass by
    Learn about America's Main Street as you walk through downtown Washington DC, following in the foot steps of Presidential Inaugural Parades and how the residents of Civil War Washington DC traversed the city.
  8. Ford's Theatre
    15m · Admission ticket not included
    This is the historic theater where John Wilkes Booth snuck up behind the President like a coward and fired that fateful shot. Today it is a working theater and it has been restored to his Civil War era grandeur. Millions of Americans visit this location every year to remember Lincoln and his legacy. (We do not enter any buildings on this tour)
  9. Petersen Boarding House
    10m · Admission ticket not included
    This small and simple historic row house was a boarding house at the time of the Civil War. After Lincoln was shot, he was taken to a room on the first floor of this house while the doctors attended to his health. Secretary of War Edwin Stanton interviewed witnesses here that night. Robert Todd Lincoln arrived from the White House and stayed by his father's side all night. It was a sad procession early the next morning when they finally brought the President's lifeless body down the steps for his carriage journey back to the White House. (We do not enter any buildings on this tour)
  10. Pass by
    The original alley behind Ford's Theatre through which John Wilkes Booth escaped after the assassination. Ask your tour guide to tell you about it and you can walk there after the tour! It is open to the public and you can see some original buildings.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

Please meet your guide at the entrance of the church on 16th Street NW, NOT the Parish House on H St NW. The tour begins at St. John's Church, the yellow-columned church at the corner of 16th and H St NW, across the street from Lafayette Square.

End point

The tour ends outside Ford's Theatre. We do not go inside Ford's Theatre on the tour.

Additional information

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Please note: This tour does not enter any buildings during the tour

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

4.8 (262)
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